Basic Rules of Algebra

These are the basic rules used when solving problems in Algebra. They are also used for higher levels of mathematics, like Trigonometry and Calculus.

Algebra Properties Properties of Negation Properties of Equality Properties of Zero Properties and Operations of Fractions

Algebra Properties
Let a, b, and c be real numbers, variables, or algebraic expressions. Property Commutative Property of Addition Commutative Property of Multiplication Associative Property of Addition Associative Property of Multiplication a+b=b+a ab = ba (a + b) + c = a + (b + c) (ab)c = a(bc) Example 3x + x2 = x2 + 3x (3 - x)x2 = x2(3 - x) (x + 3) + x2 = x + (3 + x2) (3x 2)(5) = (3x)(2 5)

Distributive Properties

a(b + c) = ab + 3x(5 + 2x) = (3x 5) + (3x ac 2x) (a + b)c = ac + (y + 5)4 = (y 4) + (5 4) bc

Additive Identity Property Multiplicative Identity Property Multiplicative Inverse Property

a+0=a a1=a

7x2 + 0 = 7x2 8y 1 = 8y 5x2 + (-5x2) = 0

(x2 + 3) 1 (x2 + 3) =1

Additive Inverse Property a + (-a) = 0

a 1 a =1

Because subtraction is defined as "adding the opposite", the Distributive Properties are also true for subtraction. For example, the "subtraction form" of a(b + c) = ab + ac is a(b - c) = ab - ac

Properties of Negation
Let a and b be real numbers, variables, or algebraic expressions.
Property 1. (-1)a = -a 2. -(-a) = a 3. (-a)b = - (ab) = a(-b) 4. (-a)(-b) = ab 5. -(a + b) = (-a) + (-b) Example (-1)7 = -7 (-1)3x = - 3x -(-6) = 6 -(- x2) = x2 (-4)3 = - (4 3) = 4(-3) (-3)(-x) = 3x -(x + 5) = (-x) + (-5) = -x - 5

Properties of Equality
Let a, b, and c be real numbers, variables, or algebraic expressions.
Property Explanation

1. if a = b, then a + c = b + c 2. if a = b, then ac = bc 3. if a + c = b + c, then a = b 4. if ac = bc and c 0, then a = b

add c to each side multiply each side by c subtract c from each side divide each side by c

Properties of Zero
Let a and b be real numbers, variables, or algebraic expressions.
Property 1. a + 0 = a and a - 0 = a 2. a 0 = 0 3. 4. 0 a a 0 =0 a0 is undefined Explanation zero added to or subtracted from anything equals itself zero multiplied by anything equals zero zero divided by anything (except zero) equals zero you can't divide by zero when the product of two or more things is zero at least one of the things must equal zero

5. Zero Factor Property: if ab = 0, then a = 0 or b = 0 or both = 0

Properties and Operations of Fractions

Let a, b, c and d be real numbers, variables, or algebraic expressions such that b 0 and d 0.
Property 1. Equivalent Fractions 2. Rules of Signs a b = c d if and only if ad = bc Explanation cross multiply one negative equals negative,

- a = -a = a

b -b and -a a = -b b ac bc c b c d c c d

two negatives is positive, you can put the negative sign anywhere in the fraction if you multiply top and bottom of a fraction by the same thing, then they are still equal if the denominators are equal, just add or subtract the top of the fraction find the common denominator top times top bottom times bottom

3. Generate Equivalent Fractions

a b a b a b a a b

c0

4. Add or Subtract with Like Denominators 5. Add or Subtract with Unlike Denominators 6. Multiply Fractions 7. Divide Fractions

a+c b ad + bc bd ac bd a b c d = ad bc c0

= = =

b d

to divide, multiply the divisor by the reciprocal